Vajra

I was under the impression that Mayhem's 'Pure Fucking Armageddon' (or whatever their earliest recording is) was released in 1983, but MetalForDummies dates it 1986. I haven't heard it myself, but my mistaken knowledge caused me to note its absence from the list.

Mayhem's "Pure Fucking Armageddon" demo was recorded in 1986 and "Deathcrush" the following year. Vajra, whatever gave you the idea PFA was from 1983? The official mayhem website (where you can download the PFA demo) also states that PFA is from 1986.

Annihilaytorr

I heard it once and it left no impression on me, and is seldom if ever mentioned for evolutionary importance. This is why Deathcrush is mentioned instead, as its impact was gigantic and well documented. The only band who's influence overall is questionable that appears on the list I presented is Savage Death. I decided to include them because it is as far as I know the first Death Metal band in New York.

I dont really think you can pinpoint an exact origin of death metal. If you listen to bands like early morbid angel or death the music is really just aggressive thrash with harsh vocals. In my mind true death metal is something that for the most part leaves out the thrash tendencies , something like infester or morpheus descends. Death Metal only became what it was through a very gradual evolution, there was no one moment where all of a sudden death metal came into existence. However, I think that all death metal owes something to slayer for their use of atonal riffs and focus on aggression rather then melody.

Annihilaytorr

Nordic - I don't think anyone here implied there was no evolution in Death Metal. Rather, the point of this thread obviously is to track its evolution. I do think the very first band that truly separated from Speed/thrash metal is Necrovore, with close approximations simultaneously evolving in Brazil around the same time. However, most all of the initial thrust of Floridian bands always retained(at least on their credible work) more direct Speed Metal characteristics than bands like Incantation, Morpheus Descends, Immolation or most of Scandinavia, and I don't think that makes them any less Death Metal. On that note, one might be able to construct an argument for Amon -Feasting the Beast Ė 1987. I donít know the real significance of that release so I didnít include it.

Christian - you failed to grasp the Master joke. You sure you ain't a tRolL!1?